I woke up feeling like I had been run over by Cerberus. Twice.
Every muscle in my body ached. My limbs felt like lead. Even blinking was a struggle.
Oh, right.
The Seven Warriors. My personal death squad. My brilliant idea of pouring one million souls and my own blood into warriors strong enough to rival gods.
Yeah. That took a lot out of me.
I groaned, rubbing my face. Never again.
Outside, a loud commotion echoed through the Academy halls.
Shouting. Cheers. Excited voices.
I sat up instantly.
That kind of noise? That meant one thing.
The Holy Knights were back.
I bolted to my feet, ignoring the way my body protested. Shoving the exhaustion aside, I rushed out the door.
The entire school was outside.
Professors. Students. Even the headmaster. Everyone had gathered in the courtyard, whispering, pointing, watching with barely-contained awe.
And at the center of it all—
The Seven Holy Knights.
They stood like living legends, their divine auras radiating through the air.
Orion Aetos, heir of Zeus.
Damon Reyes, heir of Ares.
Elias Vex, heir of Poseidon.
Selene Ithaca, heir of Athena.
Aria Solis, heir of Artemis.
Jasper Reed, heir of Dionysus.
Lila Sterling, heir of Aphrodite.
The strongest warriors in Olympus Academy.
My friends.
I didn't stop to think. Didn't hesitate.
I ran.
The second Orion turned, I jumped on him.
"BUDDY!"
Orion barely had time to react before I crashed into him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders in a full-body tackle.
I heard laughter. Cheers. Someone whistled.
Orion staggered back but caught me, groaning. "Kael—get—off—"
"Nope," I said, squeezing tighter. "You were gone forever. I missed you too much."
"Kael—"
"Give me a kiss."
Orion shoved me away instantly. "Get away from me."
Laughter exploded through the crowd.
Damon howled with laughter, clapping his hands. "Oh, I missed this."
Elias smirked. "You sure you don't wanna kiss him, Orion? He seems very committed."
I gasped dramatically. "I knew you never loved me."
Orion dragged a hand down his face, looking like he wanted to smite me on the spot.
"By the gods," Selene muttered, shaking her head. "It's like you never left."
I turned to the rest of them and grinned. "Come on, group hug. I know you all missed me."
Damon was the first to grab me in a headlock. "Damn right, I missed you."
Elias clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Still alive, huh? Guess the Underworld suits you."
Aria raised an eyebrow. "You haven't caused too much trouble, have you?"
Jasper smirked. "Oh, we know he has."
Lila flipped her hair. "I'd be more surprised if he hadn't."
Selene crossed her arms, studying me. "You look different."
I hesitated.
She wasn't wrong.
I had changed.
The Underworld had changed me.
But I still smirked. "Different? Or hotter?"
Damon shoved me. "Oh, shut up."
We all laughed.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
Like we weren't heirs of powerful bloodlines. Like we weren't warriors caught in a battle larger than ourselves.
Like we were just friends again.
Then—